Suffering from a fall as a senior citizen is no joke. As an individual ages, they become more prone to tumbling and tripping both inside and outside of their home. These falls can be life-threatening and may occur on staircases or hard, dangerous surfaces. Although falls may happen for any number of reasons, the health of a senior’s feet can be an influential factor. Therefore, one way to prevent falls from occurring in senior citizens is to strengthen the feet by practicing several simple exercises. These exercises can improve the strength in the senior’s feet muscles and increase balance. One such exercise is known as leg extensions and can be performed by repeatedly extending and raising one leg at a time while sitting in a chair. You can alternate the legs after each extension. The purpose of this exercise is to increase strength and agility in the leg muscles. If stretching seems boring or unappealing, a senior might also try to improve the strength of their feet by walking, practicing tai chi, or performing simple movements in the pool. If you are a senior who is concerned about their likelihood of suffering from a fall, you can contact a podiatrist for more information about strength-building exercises.
Preventing falls among the elderly is very important. If you are older and have fallen or fear that you are prone to falling, consult with one of our podiatrists from JB Jenkins & Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality advice and care.
Every 11 seconds, an elderly American is being treated in an emergency room for a fall related injury. Falls are the leading cause of head and hip injuries for those 65 and older. Due to decreases in strength, balance, senses, and lack of awareness, elderly persons are very susceptible to falling. Thankfully, there are a number of things older persons can do to prevent falls.
How to Prevent Falls
Some effective methods that older persons can do to prevent falls include:
Falling can be a traumatic and embarrassing experience for elderly persons; this can make them less willing to leave the house, and less willing to talk to someone about their fears of falling. Doing such things, however, will increase the likelihood of tripping or losing one’s balance. Knowing the causes of falling and how to prevent them is the best way to mitigate the risk of serious injury.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
Soccer players can sustain foot, ankle, and lower leg injuries that are either traumatic (collisions, knocks, falls, etc.) or due to repetitive strains on tissues, joints, and muscles. A common traumatic injury in soccer is an ankle sprain—where the ligament(s) in the ankle stretch excessively or tear. An Achilles tendon rupture is another acute injury where this tendon—which attaches the calf muscles to the heel—partially or fully tears. Also, when running or jumping, a soccer player’s lower leg muscle can sometimes pull away from the Achilles tendon. Examples of overuse injuries include plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammatory condition causing heel pain, Achilles tendonitis, and stress fractures—which are very common in soccer players. Warming up properly, wearing protective gear, healing properly even after a minor injury, training appropriately, and staying off of wet playing fields are all good ways to help avoid a soccer injury. See a podiatrist to receive treatment for these or any other soccer injury, and to learn more about how to prevent future injuries.
Ankle and foot injuries are common among athletes and in many sports. They can be caused by several problems and may be potentially serious. If you are feeling pain or think you were injured in a sporting event or when exercising, consult with one of our podiatrists from JB Jenkins & Associates. Our doctors will assess your condition and provide you with quality foot and ankle treatment.
Common Injuries
The most common injuries that occur in sporting activities include:
Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending upon the injury and in some cases, there may be no symptoms at all. However, in most cases, some form of symptom is experienced. Pain, aching, burning, bruising, tenderness, tightness or stiffness, sensation loss, difficulty moving, and swelling are the most common symptoms.
Treatment
Just as symptoms vary depending upon the injury, so do treatment options. A common treatment method is known as the RICE method. This method involves rest, applying ice, compression and elevating the afflicted foot or ankle. If the injury appears to be more serious, surgery might be required, such as arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery. Lastly, rehabilitation or therapy might be needed to gain full functionality in the afflicted area. Any discomfort experienced by an athlete must be evaluated by a licensed, reputable medical professional.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.
The Achilles tendon is responsible for pointing and flexing the foot, which is necessary in walking and running. It is located at the back of the heel, and connects the calf muscles to the heel. An Achilles tendon injury can occur from increasing speed and distance too quickly while running, or not properly warming up and cooling down. A tear may occur, and if the rupture is partial, the tendon remains attached to the calf muscle. A complete tear, where there is no connection between the tendon and muscle, is known as a rupture, and it is very painful and difficult to walk. This can happen as a result of high levels of stress put on the Achilles tendon from participating in activities that can include tennis, basketball, and football. There may be existing medical conditions and medications that can weaken the Achilles tendon and contribute to enduring an injury, such as Cushing’s syndrome, prednisolone, and ciprofloxacin. Common symptoms that many patients experience can be the inability to stand on their tiptoes, and there may be a flat-footed walking style. An Achilles tendon injury can be treated in different ways, and it is suggested that you urgently consult the expertise of a podiatrist who can determine what is best for you.
Achilles tendon injuries need immediate attention to avoid future complications. If you have any concerns, contact one of our podiatrists of JB Jenkins & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
What Is the Achilles Tendon?
The Achilles tendon is a tendon that connects the lower leg muscles and calf to the heel of the foot. It is the strongest tendon in the human body and is essential for making movement possible. Because this tendon is such an integral part of the body, any injuries to it can create immense difficulties and should immediately be presented to a doctor.
What Are the Symptoms of an Achilles Tendon Injury?
There are various types of injuries that can affect the Achilles tendon. The two most common injuries are Achilles tendinitis and ruptures of the tendon.
Achilles Tendinitis Symptoms
Rupture Symptoms
Treatment and Prevention
Achilles tendon injuries are diagnosed by a thorough physical evaluation, which can include an MRI. Treatment involves rest, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. However, various preventative measures can be taken to avoid these injuries, such as:
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.
Plantar warts are small growths that develop on parts of the feet that bear weight. They're typically found on the bottom of the foot. Don't live with plantar warts, and call us today!
Individuals with diabetes ought to be especially diligent in practicing healthy foot care. This is because diabetes can negatively impact nerves and restrict blood circulation throughout the feet. There are a number of ways in which diabetics may go about taking care of their foot health. One of these ways is by wearing diabetic socks, which are specially designed to help prevent common diabetic side effects in the feet. Some diabetic socks use non-elastic binding that holds the sock up on the calf without restricting blood flow to the feet. Other kinds of diabetic socks feature smart technology that can help the wearer identify an incoming ulcer or other problem. Since high blood pressure associated with diabetes can cause ulcers, diabetic socks usually are made without seams to reduce the kind of friction that could create an ulcer. Diabetic socks may not be right for everyone living with diabetes, so you might consider consulting with a podiatrist to see if these socks would work for you.
Diabetic foot care is important in preventing foot ailments such as ulcers. If you are suffering from diabetes or have any other concerns about your feet, contact one of our podiatrists from JB Jenkins & Associates. Our doctors can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Diabetic Foot Care
Diabetes affects millions of people every year. The condition can damage blood vessels in many parts of the body, especially the feet. Because of this, taking care of your feet is essential if you have diabetes, and having a podiatrist help monitor your foot health is highly recommended.
The Importance of Caring for Your Feet
Patients with diabetes should have their doctor monitor their blood levels, as blood sugar levels play such a huge role in diabetic care. Monitoring these levels on a regular basis is highly advised.
It is always best to inform your healthcare professional of any concerns you may have regarding your feet, especially for diabetic patients. Early treatment and routine foot examinations are keys to maintaining proper health, especially because severe complications can arise if proper treatment is not applied.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Chicago, IL . We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
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